Family of Slain Mother Speaks Out

WINDWARD OAHU (KHNL) - Honolulu police say charges are pending against the man accused of bludgeoning his former girlfriend to death with a shotgun.

Loved ones are still in disbelief over the loss of 29-year-old Janel Tupuola of Kailua, a young mother who's life was brutally cut short.

"We're as close as we can be, she was my baby sister and I'm going to miss her, I'm going to miss her," said Damon Pavao, Janel's brother.

Police say Janel's ex-boyfriend, 30-year-old Alapeti Tunoa Junior is suspected of ramming his SUV into her sedan on Maluniu Street in Kailua Wednesday night. Witnesses say he pulled Janel out of her car, then beat her so hard with a shotgun, police found pieces of the weapon on the ground. A couple in a car behind them saw the entire thing.

"The first time when we pulled away, I was just crying and really just hysterical and now I just want to get justice for her and her family," said Samantha Sletten, a witness.

Tunoa fled the scene, but officers found him hiding in Kaneohe. Police say the man ran into a house on Likeke Place. That alarmed neighbors who say there were kids inside the home.

Tunoa was taken into custody without a struggle.

Pavao says he has been harrassing Janel ever since she broke up with him to try and make things work with her estranged husband.

"It's just something that people keep in, they really need to share that if they're having problems that they should share it with someone and get some help, but I wasn't aware, obviously I would've helped if I knew my sister had problems," he said.

A neighbor who tried to intervene was taken to the Castle Medical Center in stable condition. Police say Tunoa struck him in the head with the shotgun.

Pavao says they plan to hold a public service for Janel next Tuesday in Kaneohe, but haven't decided exactly where yet.